Mar 30, 2011

Back in October I posted on the pleasure and honor of having Shogo & Tad from Lightning Magazine in our home to photograph a few pieces from the collection. The American Heritage issue Vol.101 featuring photos taken that Sunday hit the domestic stands today. I'm real pleased with the results. Many thanks to the folks at Lightning who graciously sent 2 copies.

In addition to pictures from the magazine, over the next few days I'll also share more detailed photos of some of my favorite vintage workwear from the collection that was featured in the article .

Close up of belt back, cat eye side button waist adjustors and expansion by-swing pleats.
The issue also featured our Rose Bowl neighbor Randy Jones akaTiki Ranch showing off some of his great advertising memorabilia and collectibles. Some photos to follow.

Mar 17, 2011

Woke up this morning from another flu-ridden, sleepless night to some very good news regarding John Lofgren & family and his Speedway-Shop in Sendai, Japan. David Himel posted a comment and link to an update run in the Fresno Bee on Sunday titled Sendai survivor:Kingsburg native gets word to family.

Once you read the above stories on this man and the goodwill he spreads, you can't help but want to get involved and help.

This evening I received a response from John to an email message I sent to his eBay shop just yesterday expressing my best wishes, and when the time was right that I wanted to pick up a few items. Here it is.

Hi,
We're cleaning up after the earthquake right now. We're in Sendai, the city that got hit hardest. My store, office and home all sustained a lot of damage. Our office should be up and running normally a few days only. We know everyone is worried and we appreciate it very much. For now we need to get the mess cleaned up so we can get back to work and our lives back on track. If you can afford it, donating a few dollars o the Red Cross wouldn't hurt.
The post office in Japan is fully operational too, so shipping is not a problem. Even though our shop was wrecked, over 90% of our stock made it just fine. Main damage was to fixtures & displays, not actual merchandise, so if you'd like to do a little shopping with us, we are fully capable of taking orders (and we could really use the support).
Read an interview I did with a California newspaper here:

Thanks a lot, and a special thank you to all of those who emailed as soon as they found out about the quake and emailed to see if we were ok.

The email update above was followed by an order confirmation and invoice for these caps I had inquired about only the day before. I can never pass up a good engineer cap, especially in much coveted pincheck material.

The cap invoice was followed by a personal note of thanks from this man and his damaged business halfway across the world, whom I have never met but consider to be a peer and friend, who obviously has so much going on at this trying time yet took the time to connect. Thanks John for doing all you do & best wishes from So Cal. Truly a rare breed, let's show him some support!

Mar 12, 2011

Lets start by saying that our thoughts are with our many Japanese friends. It's very hard to prepare for tomorrow's Rose Bowl without losing focus due to the many scenes of loss and destruction in Japan.

Sendai, home to John Lofgren's Speedway-Shop was especially close to the epicenter. We wish everyone well and encourage all to do what they can to help in this rescue & recovery effort.

Via Lili Lagada, Yahoo News

Japan was hit by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded on Friday. The magnitude-8.9 quake spawned a deadly tsunami that slammed into the nation's east coast, leaving a huge swath of devastation in its wake. Hundreds of people are dead and many more are still missing or injured.

Japan has often donated when other countries have experienced disasters, such as when Hurricane Katrina impacted the United States. Here are a few organizations that are working on relief and recovery in the region.

AMERICAN RED CROSS: Emergency Operation Centers are opened in the affected areas and staffed by the chapters. This disaster is on a scale larger than the Japanese Red Cross can typically manage. Donations to the American Red Cross can be allocated for the International Disaster Relief Fund, which then deploys to the region to help. Donate here.

GLOBALGIVING: Established a fund to disburse donations to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Donate here.

SAVE THE CHILDREN: Mobilizing to provide immediate humanitarian relief in the shape of emergency health care and provision of non-food items and shelter. Donate here.

SALVATION ARMY: The Salvation Army has been in Japan since 1895 and is currently providing emergency assistance to those in need. Donate here.

AMERICARES: Emergency team is on full alert, mobilizing resources and dispatching an emergency response manager to the region. Donate here.

CONVOY OF HOPE: Disaster Response team established connection with in-country partners who have been impacted by the damage and are identifying the needs and areas where Convoy of Hope may be of the greatest assistance. Donate here.
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS: Putting together relief teams, as well as supplies, and are in contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities. Donate here.

Mar 3, 2011

Here is a sneak peek at our new BEAR BRAND ENGINEER and WORKMAN CAPS. Made in the USA, ultra limited edition, available via The San Fernando Valley Mercantile Co.Contact us at vintageworkwear@gmail for more info.